Festivals in the Algarve

by Sun’s Dragon

Whether you live in the Algarve, or just come to visit, this southern region of Portugal bursts with colourful local festivals, throughout the year, often featuring traditional dance and music. The larger towns have festivals which have become famous across the country, like the Loulé Carnival in February or the Portimão Sardine Festival in August.

As well as the well-known festivals there are many more fairs and festivals held in the villages throughout the Algarve and all through the year. It is a good idea to keep your eye out for posters advertising when and where the next festival is to be held. You can also check with your local Junta de Freguesia (Parish council) for local festival information. Sometimes these smaller ones can be more fun simply because local villagers are more likely to encourage you to participate and join the fun!

In addition to traditional festivals celebrating local food, drink and folklore, the Algarve hosts many events and sporting competitions, some of which are huge international affairs, like the Powerboat Grand Prix in Portimão or the Formula 1 Windsurfing competition at Alvor.

Below is a selection of the larger festivals and events for this year, as well as a few of the key annual events next year. Precise dates for Algarve festivals and annual events usually vary from year to year.

January

Festival / Event

Location

Description

TBA

Choriça Festival

Quarença

Making, cooking and eating the famous local sausage. Music and dancing and entertainment

1-24

Charola

Everywhere

Local singers perform traditional songs and chants all thru the Algarve in pubs, bars, restaurants, streets and malls

25th

Burns Night

Everywhere

Traditional dinner with Haggis and Scottish pipes and dancing

February

Festival / Event

Location

Description

TBA

Chocolate Fair

Loulé

3 Day event featuring chocolate in all forms

14th

Valentine's Day

Everywhere

Romantic celebration for couples

TBA

Mountain Bike Ride

Messines

20 or 40 or 60km ride through the mountains.

March

Festival / Event

Location

Description

Hot Bread & Cheese Festival

Vaqueiros

Traditionally baked bread in traditional ovens on the street with Fresh cheese stalls - music and dancing

Carnival

Loulé

The big Brazilian-style carnival

Carnival

Everywhere

Throughout the Algarve in towns and villages - check your local Junta for details

Traditional Sausage Fair

Monchique

Made from Black Pig

8th

International Women's Day

Everywhere

Various events each year

17th

St. Patrick's Day

Everywhere

Various events each year

Gastronomy Festival de Serra

Tavira

Many restaurants taking part.

Algarve Cup - Women's International Football

Different venues for each match

Women footballers from all over the world compete for the Algarve Cup each year

Flamenco Festival

Faro

2 day event in Theatres

30th

Mother's Day

Everywhere

Various events

April

Festival / Event

Location

Description

Palm Sunday

Tavira

Triumphal Procession

Good Friday

Silves

Evening Procession

Easter Sunday

São Brãs

Procession of Flower Torches to celebrate Christ's Resurrection

Easter Sunday

Loulé

Procession to honor the Patron Saint of the City

Folar Fairs

Everywhere

Featuring the Easter Folar traditional cake topped with a hard boiled egg in its shell

Clams Festival

Olhão

Cultural Week

Alte

Different cultural aspects daily including children's entertainment, theatre, local food and music, exhibitions and a dance show plus an annual mountain bike ride. On the last day, another public holiday in Portugal, the grand finale features a folklore festival and a Traditional Wedding at Fonte Grande.

25th

Portugal's Liberation Day

Everywhere

Parties and Fireworks

Apr/May

Vodafone Rally of Portugal

Algarve Stadium, Faro

Special stages at the beginning and close of the rally (sometimes takes place in May)

May

Festival / Event

Location

Description

1st

May Day Celebrations

Everywhere

Traditionally people go on a picnic for this day

2nd

Festa da Pinha (Pine Cone Festival)

Estoi

Horses and palm decorated wagons ride from Estoi to Ludo and back celebrating the Pine Cone.

Day of the City

Vila Real San Antonio

Historic parade and Medieval Fair

May - Oct

International Sand Sculpture Festival

Péra

Annual summer event with gigantic sand sculptures

TBA

Snail Festival

Castro Marim

Restaurants will be taking part

All Month

International Music Festival

Faro

Classical performance from Portuguese Orchestras

June

Festival / Event

Location

Description

Algarve International Fair

Lagoa

Trade and entertainment

Popular Saints Festival (St. Anthony, St. John & St. Peter)

Quarteira

Held over 3 weeks for 1 day per week. Music, dancing and more. Often through to the early hours of the morning

Popular Saints Festival (St. Anthony, St. John & St. Peter)

Everywhere

Check the local Juntas for details

World Super Bike Championship

Motor Park, Portimão

Check local press

All month

Cataplana Festival

Almancil

Many restaurants participating

Festival Prazeres do Mar (Pleasures of the Sea Festival)

Aljezur

Including music and dancing

Caldeirada (fish stew) festival

Armacão de Péra

Including music and dancing

Med Fest

Loulé

Two week long music festival

Portuguese Gastronomy week

Lagoa

Including music and dancing

July

Festival / Event

Location

Description

18 - 21

Noites de Moura Encatada (Enchanted Nights)

Cacela Velha, V.R. de Santo Antonio

Medieval festival brings to life the colourful market stalls, gastronomy, music and entertainment of Moorish times.

18 - 21

International Bikers Rally

Faro

The largest Biker meet outside of the USA, four days of bikes, riding, competitions, rock concerts and more!

19 - 21

Feira do Presunto (cured ham) & Festival do Medronho (Firewater)

Monchique

Big celebration of local produce and other traditional products, along with music and dancing.

27 - 28

International Jazz festival

Loulé

Featuring two days and nights of jazz with local and international musicians.

Where all communities come together to thank the Portuguese for sharing their way of life

Extreme Mountain Bike Race - MIBA National Championships

Sao Bartolomeu de Messines, Silves

3 marathons, 25km, 50km, 85km for amateurs

November

Festival / Event

Location

Description

1st

All Saints Day - Annual Fair

Silves

Fairground, food entertainment for 4 days.

1st

All Saints Day

Everywhere

Celebrations held throughout the Algarve - check with local Juntas de Freguesia

St. Martin's Fair

Portimao

350 year old Fair! Roast chestnuts and more traditional foods, crafts and entertainment.

Gastronomy week

Messines

Check local press

Casinos do Algarve Rally

Portimao & Monchique

Check clube automovel algarve for info

Each Sat.

Organ Festival

Faro

Church organs concerts held one day per week throughout the month

Chestnut Fairs

Monchique

1 day each for two weeks

28 - 30

Festival da Batata Doce

Aljezur

Sweet Potato Festival with a variety of Sweet Potato dishses, handicrafts and entertainment.

December

Festival / Event

Location

Description

14 - 15

Artesanato Fair (Handicraft Fair)

Parque de Estacionamento, Lagos

Local handicrafts, local food and drink, local entertainment.

28 - 1 Jan

Medieval Festival

Paderne

Archery, Sword fighting, Belly dancing, food, drink and fun.

31

New Years Eve Party

Fisherman's Beach, Albufeira

Huge party and fireworks at midnight

The Great Father Christmas Walk

Armacão de Péra

Organised by the Holiday Inn, wear a Christmas outfit and walk for charity

Mountain Fair

Loule

Featuring food and crafts from the whole of the Loulé county. Good for Christmas shopping.

Christmas Village

Tavira

Until January - Big Kiddies party as well as fun, games and food

A Week of Food & Drink

São Bartolomeu de Messines, Silves

Many restaurants taking part for traditional Algarvean fare.

Christmas Bike Ride

Faro

Moto Clube de Faro - charity bike ride giving gifts to the orphans and handing out Bolo Rei and Port in Faro old town.

Christmas Grand Prix

Albufeira

4km & 8km walk or run in a Christmas outfit

Swim for Shoes

Armacão de Péra

Holiday Inn sponsored dip in the sea, in your Christmas outfit, on Christmas Morning. Raising money for shoes for children in need.

NY Day

Swim for Shoes

Armacão de Péra

Same as Christmas Day, same goal, this time in Pyjamas!

Living in the Algarve brings amazing opportunities to enjoy local culture and a laid-back lifestyle, not to mention over 300 days of glorious sunshine a year. If you’re considering a move, why not check out Algarve property for sale?

Article provided by Meravista.com

Meravista is the world’s largest property portal devoted exclusively to the Algarve. It brings visitors the latest state-of-the art search technology, making it easy to find their perfect property in the Algarve.